International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 Study of Biodiversity of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Aravallis with Particular Emphasis on Medicinal and Endemic Plants
Anil Kumar Dular
Department of Environmental Science, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, N.H 15, Jaisalmer Road, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334004.India
Abstract: The Sariska tiger reserve in Aravallis has its own importance and specific characteristics endowed with unique biodiversity. In the present study an attempt has been made to ascertain the current status of the flora in all the possible study area. Attention is focused on one of the important reserve forest of state of Rajasthan with pace of their endemism, medicinal important plants species and along with facing number of challenges in this reserve. In present study emphasize on taxonomic richness; genetic difference within each taxon; the communities, ecosystem and landscape occupied by this reserve. The status of medicinal plants with their uses is also incorporate with overall study of floral diversity in the study area. Several studies so far conducted in Aravallis like which supported checklist of plant diversity in this natural reserve. Anon, 2000, Champion and Seth1968, Dennis, Billore, and Mishra, 1997,Jain and Kotwal1960,Jain1970, Khan1995,Katewa1996,Mathur and Saxena1968,Mathur1991,Nair and Nathawat1957, Parmar1985, Pandravada,. Sarath, Rao, Maheswara and Satyanarayana, 2000,Rodgers. and Panwar1988,Rodgers 1990a. Rodgers, 1990b, Rodgers 1991, Rodgers, 1991. Sharma,1958, Sharma, 1978 Sharma1983.
Keywords: Floral diversity, Sariska tiger reserve, Aravallis, endemism 1. Introduction Lannea coromandelica (Garjan) grows on steep rocky areas. Acacia catechu (Khair), Zizyphus mauritiana (Bordi) and Rajasthan, the largest state in our country, has marked Butea monosperma (Dhak) are found in valleys. difference in physiographic feature. The Aravallis, one of the Dendrocalamus strictus is extremely limited in distribution oldest mountain system, divide the state in two unequal parts. and is found along the well drained reaches of the streams and Over 30 percent of the state is covered by Aravallis and a vast moist and colder part of the hills. expanse of arid and semi arid tract lies in the west of Aravallis. According to the Champion and Seth (1968) the forest of Aravalli region fall under the broad category of Tropical Dry forests. Study area the “Sariska Tiger reserve” (74°14´ to 76° 34´ N and 25° 5´ to 27° 3´ E) is situated in the Aravalli hill range and lies in the semi-arid part of Rajasthan (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988). It became a wild life sanctuary in 1955 and Tiger reserve in 1982. According to Department of Forest, Government of Rajasthan the total area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve is 866 sq.km, of which 302.2 sq. km. is buffer zone and 497.8 sq.km is core zone. Sariska core zone is comprised of three isolated; pockets: Core-I (273.8 sq.km), II (126.5 sq.km.) and III (97.5 sq.km). The status of the Core I has been notified as a National park in 1982. Sariska is undulating to hilly and has numerous narrow valleys. Kiraska and Kankwari plateau and two large lakes Mansarovar and Somsagar. Silisad lake is situated just along the north eastern boundary of the reserve. The altitude of Sariska varies from
540 to 777 meters. Earlier Sariska was the private hunting grounds of Alwar’s royal family, today only 20 percent of this 2. Material and Methods vast expanse of jungle is “Tiger Habitat”. The vegetation of Sariska correspond to Northern tropical dry deciduous forests In the present study emphasis was laid on the study of floral (sub group 5 B; 5/E I and 5/E2) and Northern tropical thorn diversity in Sariska Tiger Reserve, during January, 2001 to forest (Sub Group 6 B) (Champion and Seth,1968). The forest March, 2004. This study revealed that biodiversity of the being scattered and sparse over a large area on various study area was affected due to anthropogenic activities. It geological and soil formation and vary greatly in composition. provides an assessment of the key human factors and their Anogeissus pendula (Dhok) is dominant species in the relative roles in driving the destruction of biodiversity, which undulating area and on the hills. Boswellia serrata (Salar) and are likely to operate, not only in core zone but immediately Volume 4 Issue 2, February 2015 www.ijsr.net Paper ID: SUB151212 Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 420 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 surrounding buffer zone. Personal observations were taken in Dendrocalamus strictus is extremely limited and are found the field by visiting the study area and its different landforms. along well drained reaches of the streams and moist and It was a great help that the field staff of Sariska Tiger cooler parts of the hills. The trees are generally slow growing Reserve, Department of Forest, Government of Rajasthan was an attain poor height. Albizia lebbeck, Diospyros associated always in the field. Plant samples (leaf, flower etc.) melanoxylon, Syzygium cumini, Tamarindus indica and Ficus were brought to Indira Gandhi Centre for Human Ecology, spp. which are found in moist localities attain large size both Environmental and Population Studies, herbarium sheets for in crown grows gregariously, where valleys fan out. and important species were prepared and help and cooperation becoming flat and wide. On the basis of their composition. was sought from the “Herbarium” of Department of Botany, The forests of Sariska Tiger Reserve can be classified as University of Rajasthan, Jaipur for finding out the current follows (i):Anogeissus pendula forest (ii)Boswellia serrata status of vegetation in the study area. The properties of forest (iii) Acacia catechu forest and(iv)Miscellaneous type of medicinal important plants are assessed by interview of local forests which can further be divided into three categories dweller, ayurvedic doctors, local medicomen and elder man namely (a)Butea monosperma forest( b)Forests along and women of inside and outside the reserve. The exudates of nallahs(c)Scrub forest. different parts of plants species shall be carried out by the help of pharmaceutical professional and through laboratory 3. Result and Discussion investigation. The ethanobotanical aspects of the plants species of the reserve area can elaborate by the medicinal and A total number of 403 indigenous and naturalised plant folk dietry practices of local indigenous people. species belonging to 271 genera under 86 families can be observed in Sariska Tiger Reserve. This also includes four Landwise floral (endemic) composition of Sariska Tiger species of Petriodophytes belonging to three genera and three reserve in Aravallis :Sariska Tiger reserve nestled amidst the families, and a species of Gymnosperm. Table(a) includes the Aravillis which used to be hunting place (Sikargrah) of number of families, genera and species, under Dictoyledons and princely state Alwar in the past, is now a days a tiger reserve Monocotyledons, Pteridophytes and Gymnosperm. Except for of international reputation. Sariska is very rich in biodiversity Poaceae (56 species) and Cyperaceae (17 species) the with wide spectrum of flora and ample of wild life. According Monocotyledons are poorly represented. The remaining 16 to the latest " Revised forest types of India " by Sir H.G. species of Monocotyledons belong to 10 different families. Champion and Shri S.K. Seth, the forests, met within the division fall under group 5 "Tropical dry deciduous forest" Table a: Shows current status of vegetation in Sariska Tiger and group 6 “Tropical thorn forests” under the broad category Reserve 'Dry tropical forests'. The main endemic and economically families Genera Species valuable species are dhok (Anogeissus pendula) salar Angiosperm (Boswellia serrata), khair (Acacia catechu), bamboos Monocotyledons 13 59 90 (Dendrocalamus strictus), dhak (Butea monosperma), kair Dicotyledons 69 208 308 (Capparis decidua), ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) with having lot Total 82 267 398 of ground flora comprised of shrubs, herbs, grasses and Pteridophytes 3 3 4 sedges etc. The forest being scattered over a large area and Gymnosperm 1 1 1 occurring on various geological and soil formation vary Total 86 271 403 greatly in composition and quality. Approximately 35 percent of the forest area is either occupied by bare rocks or covered Aravallis is known for very valuable plant and animal species. specially with degraded and poor type of scrub growth. The The local people and Ayurvedic doctors have been using plant growth of the principal trees is generally slow and the height products (leaf, seeds, bark, fruit etc.) in a crude manner. It poor. On average the height varies from 4.5 meters to 7.5 reveals that these plant species are of medicinal values of meters, in favorable localities like core area the height which full potential is yet to be explored and utilized. There is reaching unto 12 meters. The diameter increment, too is slow ample scope of researches in the field of Phytochemistry, and most of the principal species over 30 cm wide in width. Biochemistry. Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology. Analysis The dominating species with occurrence in particular height of interview schedule revealed that there are Fifty four plant are divided into upper canopy, middle canopy and ground species occuring in the study area, which can be considered as flora as grasses and sedges mainly. The forests being scattered medicinal plant species. These medicinal plants species with and sparse over a large area on various geological and soil their use of different parts are the subject matter of endemism formations, vary greatly in composition. In the valleys where of the particular area and time to concentrate to conserve their better soil and moisture conditions exist, the vegetation is status so far. The information and practices avail by local comparatively denser. Anogeissus pendula is the dominant indigenous people is subject matter of conservation because tree species, covering over 90 percent area of the forests. they are the real custodian of biodiversity. Their indigenous Boswellia serrata and Lannea coromandelica grow on rocks practices great helps in conserving the biological diversity on and dry slopes. Acacia catechu is common in valleys, where Volume 4 Issue 2, February 2015 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Paper ID: SUB151212 421 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 madiculous, aesthetic or knowledge based ground which is divine gift to cradle for future endeavour. Table A: Includes the list of medicinal plant species at Sariska Tiger Reserve S.No Name of the species Families Vernacular name Part used Medicinal Purpose of use properties 1. Abrus precatorius L. Paplionaceae Chirmi/Ratti seeds purgative and nervous disorder aphrodisiac
2. Acacia catechu Willd. Mimosoceae Khair exudate - difficult child birth
3. Acacia farnesiana (L.) Mimosoceae Vilati babul bark astringent cough, renal dropsy, bronchial Willd. infection
4. Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Chirchitta whole plant - cough and colds
5. Adhatoda zeylanica Acanthaceae Adulsa leaves expectorant bronchitis Medic 6. Aegle marmelos (L.) Rutaceae Bel fruit pulp cooling, laxative chronic diarrhoea and dysentry Corr. and digestive
7. Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. Simaroubaceae Adu root/stem bark - fever / coughs
8. Ammania baccifera L. Lythraceae - whole plant - guinea worm expulsion
9. Anogeissus pendula Combretaceae Dhok stem bark - gastric disorder Edgew. 10. Argemone mexicana L. Papaveraceae Kateli root laxative chronic skin disease
11. Asparagus adscendens Liliaceae Safed musli roots fasiculated demulcent diarrhoea and dysentry Roxb.
12. Azadirachta indica A. Meliaceae Neem leaves twigs prophylatic leprosy and skin diseases Juss.
13. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Scrophulariaceae Brahmi whole plant potent diuretic insanity, epilepsy cardiac tonic and tranquillizer nerve tonic
14. Balanites aegyptica (L.) Simaroubaceae Hingot seed hypotensive oral contraaceptatives Delile source of diosgenin
Name of the species Families Vernacular name Part used Medicinal Purpose of use properties
15. Bauhnia racemosa Caesalpiniaceae - stem bark toxic weakness Lamk. 16. Boswellia serrata Roxb. Burseraceae Salar exudate gum - -
17. Bridella retusa (L.) Spr. Euphorbiaceae - leaves suppository -
Volume 4 Issue 2, February 2015 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Paper ID: SUB151212 422 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 18. Butea monosperma Paplionaceae Dhak seeds gum anthelminitic - (Lamk.) Taub. diarrhoea
19. Calotropis gigantia (L.) Asclepiadaceae Aak root bark dysentry skin diseases R. Br. diaphoretic
20. Calotropis procera (Ait.) Asclepiadaceae Aakada root bark flowers expectorant cough and asthama R. Br. powdered diaphoretic
21. Cappris sepiaria (L.) Capparaceae - roots - decay of tooth and jaws
22. Cardiospermum Sapindaceae Kanphuti whole plant - stiffness of limbs, earache, halicacabum (L.) rheumatism
23. Cassia fistula (L.) Caesalpiniaceae Amaltas fruit pulp purgative - laxative
24. Celastrus paniculatus Celastraceae Malkagni seeds laxative leprosy and rheumatism Willd. stimulant aphrodisiac
25. Cayratia trifolia L. Vitaceae - roots - diabetes
26. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Cucurbitaceae Indrayan roots fruits-pulp purgative jaundice, urinary diseases, Schard antibacterial
27. Cocculus pendulous Menispermaceae - roots - Intermittent fever (J.R. & Frost) Diels. 28. Commiphora wightii Burseraceae Guggal oleo-resin exudate expectorant lower blood cholesterol (Arn.) Bhandari aphrodisiac carminative
29. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Cuscutaceae Amerbel stem - tonsilites
30. Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae Moth rhizome - -
31. Derris indica (Lamk.) Paplionaceae - leaves - dandruff and hair tonic Bennet. 32. Desmodium gangeticum Paplionaceae - roots and seeds febrifuges - (L.) Dc. anticatarrhatic
33. Eclipta prostrata (L.) Asteraceae Bhrangra plant juice - jaundice and hair tonic Linn. 34. Emblica officinalis Euphorbiaceae Amla fruit raw diuetric and - Gaertn. laxative
35. Euphorbia hirta L. Paplionaceae Laldudhi whole plant - bronchial infection, cough, arthama and wormicide in children
36. Gymnema sylvestris Asclepiadaceae Gurmar leaves antidiabetic blood sugar reducing (Retz.) Schult. 37. Holarrhena Apocynaceae - leaves + unripe - biliousness dysentry and diarrhoea antidysentrica (L.) Wall fruit ex. Dc. 38. Martynia annua L. Martyriaceae seeds oil leaves - scabies, eczema and dysentry and fruits
39. Moringa oleifera Lamk. Moringaceae Sainjana seed oil - acute rheumatism
40. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Nyctanthaceae Kali tulsi seeds diuretic, tonic - L. cooling
Volume 4 Issue 2, February 2015 www.ijsr.net Paper ID: SUB151212 Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 423 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 41. Ocimum sanctum L. Lamiaceae Tulsi leaves juice / - bronchitis digestive complaint and infusion cold
Name of the species Families Vernacular name Part used Medicinal Purpose of use properties
42. Oldenlandia corymbosa Rubiaceae - whole plant - in fever and jaundice L. 43. Pavonia odorata Willd. Malvaceae - whole plant - rheumatism
44. Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae - roots an appetizer diarrhoea, piles and scabies ulcers
45. Sapindus emarginatus Sapindaceae Ritha leaves - colic pain due to indigestion Vahl. diarrhoea, paralysis of limbs.
46. Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Makoi whole plant - anema in infant having abdominal upset, cirrhosis of liver
47. Soymida febrifuga A. Meliaceae Rohan bark stimulant diarrhoea dysentry Juss. 48. Sterculia uren Roxb. Sterculiaceae Kadaya exudate laxative -
49. Tamarindus indica L. Caesalpiniaceae Imili fruit pulp leaves carminative, swelling and boils antibiotic, refrigerant and laxative
50. Terminalia belirica Combretaceae Bahera fruit pulp unripe purgative purgative (Gaertn.) Roxb. fruit
51. Tribulus terrestris L. Zygophyllaceae Gokhru fruit diuretic and tonic stone in urinary bladder
52. Tridax procumben L. Asteraceae - leaves - cuts and wound
53. Withania somnifera (L.) Solanaceae Aswgandh leaves and roots tonic/diuretic and joints pain/headache and rheumatism Dunal antibacterial
54. Syzygium cumini (L.) Myrtaceae - bark - diarrhoea and dysentry Skeels.
4. Acknowledgement [5] Jain, S.K., 1970. Flora composition of Rajasthan – A review. Bull. Bot. Surv. India 12 : 176-187. Author has deep sense of gratitude to his supervisor Director [6] Khan, T.I., 1995. Tropical deforestation and its Indira Gandhi centre for Human Ecology and Population consequences with reference to biodiversity in India. The studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur for their able guidance Int. Jour. of Environmental Edu. and information 14(1) : during the research tenure and also thankful to Dept of forest, 31-44. Government of Rajasthan and field director to sariska and [7] Katewa, S.S., 1996. Ecology of grazing land of Aravalli other staff members. hills (south west Rajasthan). J. Environ. Bio. 17(1) : 43- 50. References [8] Mathur, K.B.L. and Saxena, V.S., 1968. The working plan of Bharatpur forest division. Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur, no. F.8 (11) Rev. A/68. [1] Anon, 2000. Report of the task force on conservation and [9] Mathur, V.B., 1991. Ecological impacts of livestock sustainable use of medicinal plants. Planning grazing on wild ungulates in Sariska National Park, India, Commission, Government of India, New Delhi. IVth Congress International de Terres de parcours, [2] Champion, H.G. and Seth, S.K., 1968. A revised survey Montpellier, France. of the forest type of India. Government of India Press, [10] Nair, N.C. and Nathawat, G.S., 1957. Vegetation of Delhi, pp. 404. Harshnath, Aravalli hills. The Journal of the Bombay [3] Dennis, T.J., Billore, K.V. and Mishra, K.P., 1997. Natural History Society 54(2). Pharmacognostic study on gum-oleo-resin of Boswellia [11] Parmar, P.J., 1985. A contribution to the flora of Sariska serrata Roxb. Reprint Bulletin 1(3) : 353-360. Tiger Reserve, Alwar District Rajasthan. Bull. Bot. Surv. [4] Jain, S.K. and Kotwal, N., 1960. On the vegetation of India 27(1-4) : 29-40. Shahabad in Rajasthan, Indian Forester, Oct. 602-608. Volume 4 Issue 2, February 2015 www.ijsr.net Paper ID: SUB151212 Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 424 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 [12] Pandravada, S.R., Babu, B. Sarath, Sivaraj, N. Rao, G. Maheswara and Satyanarayana, Y.V.V., 2000. Species diversity and germplasm collection of medicinal plants from Eastern Ghats. Indian Forester Nov. 1191-1203. [13] Rodgers, W.A. and Panwar, H.S., 1988. Planing a wildlife protected area network in India Vol. I & II Wildlife Institute of Dehradun. [14] Rodgers, W.A., 1990a. A preliminary ecological survey of Algual spring, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. Journal Bombay Natural. History Soc. 87(2) : 201-210. [15] Rodgers, W.A., 1990b. Capparis sepiaria Linn. an important dry season fodder plant for wildlife. Range Mgmt. and Agroforestry 11(2) : 199-206. [16] Rodgers, W.A., 1991. A preliminary ecological survey of Algual spring, Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 7 : 201-209. [17] Rodgers, W.A., 1991. The Management of protected area buffer zones for the maintenance of biodiversity. Int. J. Sustainable Development [18] Sharma,V.S.,1958. The flora of Ajmer(Rajasthan). The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 55: 1. [19] Sharma,Shiv,1978. Studies in floral composition of Jaipur District, Rajasthan. Indian Forester 104(1) : 41-49. [20] Sharma, S., 1983. A contribution to the Botany of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve National park. Department of Environment, Government of India, New Delhi.
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